Entrepreneur Showcase: The T-Shirt Factory Owner Nero Ogheneovo

I have always loved the process of bringing resources together to create a product. I have a BSC in Business Administration, a certificate in Enterprise Management from EDC, Pan African University, and I have been trained by the Fate Foundation and LEAP Africa.

7 years ago I started producing T-shirts with love inscriptions on them for Valentines Day and I was surprised at the response I received. The next holiday was Easter, so I started producing T-shirts with Easter messages and symbols.

At that time I was still in university, after I graduated I boldly decided to start a company rather than to look for a job. I decided to start targeting corporate organizations and bigger clients. Rather than producing and selling to individuals, I was targeting those who would order in bulk.

Our product goal is to combine quality with customized and contemporary designs that represent organizations and their brands.

“Our factory goal is to provide top quality and service delivery to all our clients whether they are individuals, corporate organizations, churches, schools, or retailers.”

As the CEO, I oversee the running of the entire company. I meet with major clients and I develop and execute strategies.

How important is technology in conducting your daily business.

Technology is very, very important in my business. Just to give you an example, for more than 5 years we were serving clients in only one state. Within 6 months of launching our website and our Facebook page, we were producing for clients in 25 states and outside of the country.

Why do African Business need a website?

A website enables a business to be exposed to a larger audience. African businesses need a website to showcase their products to the world.

A website can make businesses expand rapidly. Even when we are not actively doing any marketing activity, people still find us online through our website.

You are part of what is being called the new generation of leaders, what does that mean?

We are different from the past generation and technology has played a major role in us being different. For example, some years back you would have needed to have branches in various locations in order to do business outside of your area. But today, you can serve the world from one spot through the use of technology.

Right now, some of my competitors are 10 times bigger than I am in size but my brand is more popular than theirs because they don’t have a website and do not have any major online activity.

And also through technology we, the new generation of leaders, have access to more information compared to many years ago. This makes us more informed which leads to us being better leaders.

What is your message to young Africans want to make a difference and don’t know how to start?

Just start from where you are. Do what you can with the resources that are available to you at the moment. Also, get trained and develop yourself in whatever way you can because you are your greatest asset you have to make that difference.

Please include anything you feel is important to share.

“I strongly believe that Africa has the potential to surpass other continents economically and otherwise. It’s us, the young people, the new generation of leaders, that can make that happen.”

I was an awardee of the Federal Government of Nigeria Youth with Innovation in Nigeria, and I partner with the government to reduce the level of unemployment in Nigeria. I was also featured as one of the Top 35 Under 35 CEOs shaping the future of Africa by UNDER35CEO.

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